Pedro Porro admits that he has had to work hard on his defending now that he is playing in a back four instead of as a wing-back under Ange Postecoglou at Spurs.
Porro made a name for himself operating as a right wing-back at Sporting Lisbon, which was the position he was signed to play for Antonio Conte’s Tottenham in January.
(Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)
The 23-year-old is now working with a manager with an almost polar opposite philosophy to the Italian in Ange Postecoglou, and the Spaniard admitted that he and his teammates are still trying to fully adapt to the Australian’s philosophy.
Porro told Football.London: “We’ve been working for a little while only, but his ideas are really good and I believe we have to continue as normal and as I’m saying trying to continue to reinforce the process. My position [under him] is a defender but the system is different and I’m happy with whatever comes.”
When asked if there is a big difference between being a wing-back and a right-back, he responded: “Yes and no. It’s different – being right wing-back is like a winger but I try to adapt to that position but it’s still different when you are attacking, because as a right-back you have to surprise the opposition.
“You just have to get into the habit of defending. I’ve gone forward since I’ve been a professional so [in coming back] it’s always a bit more challenging but I keep on trying.”
Pedro Porro likes being on the ball at Tottenham
Postecoglou likes his full-backs to be closer to the centre of the pitch rather than on the touchline when his side are in possession, and Porro insisted that he likes the role since he sees more of the ball.
When asked about operating as an inverted full-back, he responded: “It’s a different way and new ideas. I like that type of game because you can get on the ball a lot and pass it around.
“Still, I feel comfortable working on defence which is very important and will be important going forward. Both things are important.”
However, Porro did add that he is having to modify some of his instincts, having played high up the pitch and out-wide for the past few years.
“I just try to help the team in whatever position I’m put in, but in the end, I’ve been playing for about two years further up the side,” he admitted.
“When I was Sporting I was playing not so much in the defence and now I’m the opposite. I’m more in the defence but there are things in life that train you and you can improve from day to day.”
Spurs Web Opinion
While Porro is very good on the ball, I am still not convinced that he is well-suited to play as an inverted full-back.
He is at his best when he is on the touchline and allowed to make late overlaps, while there are also question marks about his one vs one defending, which he has to do a lot of in Ange’s system.
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